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Yesterday, Pam’s House Blend divulged of Washington Senator Mary Margaret Haugen’s announcement that she was supporting marriage equality, making her the 25th — and final — vote needed to pass the state’s marriage equality bill (SB 6239). PHB’s note of Haugen’s statement on her decision was one that struck me:

“Years ago I took exception to my parents’ beliefs on certain social issues, and today my children take exception to some of mine. Times change, even if it makes us uncomfortable. I think we should all be uncomfortable sometime. None of us knows everything, and it’s important to have our beliefs questioned. …

I have very strong Christian beliefs, and personally I have always said when I accepted the Lord, I became more tolerant of others. I stopped judging people and try to live by the Golden Rule. This is part of my decision. I do not believe it is my role to judge others, regardless of my personal beliefs. It’s not always easy to do that. For me personally, I have always believed in traditional marriage between a man and a woman. That is what I believe, to this day.

But this issue isn’t about just what I believe. It’s about respecting others, including people who may believe differently than I. It’s about whether everyone has the same opportunities for love and companionship and family and security that I have enjoyed.”

While it’s not the kind of impassioned full-fledged speeches of support we saw by several New York Democrats when marriage equality passed, what I sort of love about this statement — and her decision — was the very fact that it appeared to be one that wasn’t made easily for her. Because despite what personal judgments or religious institutions may expect of a person, every so often we see a lawmaker with one previously held conservative, regressive view that discriminates others’ rights and liberties make a conscious decision to choose humanity over intolerance, or love over hate; to simply recognize that the world is rapidly progressing, and to hold that back does nothing but harm their nation’s growth.

You may say I’m naive or overly optimistic — and trust me, I have my fair share of cynicism, particularly considering we have more pressing issues than marriage equality to address in the LGBTQ and broader social justice movements. But it’s still refreshing to see one changed mind, especially when it’s one that makes history.

Last week, SB202 became law in Arkansas, officially banning the enactment of local anti-discrimination laws. After the measure passed both chambers of the state legislature, Governor Hutchison allowed the bill to become law without his signature.

SB202 is just another marker of the larger backlash facing LGBTQ people, which affects the most marginalized within our communities. Across the country, legislation has been introduced at the state level that attacks the rights of LGBTQ people through the banning of anti-discrimination laws and/or invoking the moniker of religious freedom to grant exemptions for discrimination. These bills have been discussed and/or introduced in the following states: Indiana, Arkansas, Michigan, Texas, Tennessee, and Georgia.

This list of states is ...

Last week, SB202 became law in Arkansas, officially banning the enactment of local anti-discrimination laws. After the measure passed both chambers of the state legislature, Governor Hutchison allowed the bill to become law without his signature.

Vivian Boyack, age 91, and Alice “Nonie” Dubes, age 90, have been together for 72 years, and this weekend they tied the knot. As the reverend who performed the ceremony in Davenport, Iowa said, “This is a celebration of something that should have happened a very long time ago.” What does it take to sustain a relationship since circa the middle of World War II? A lot of love and work, according to Boyack. “We’ve had a good time,” Dubes says.

Vivian Boyack, age 91, and Alice “Nonie” Dubes, age 90, have been together for 72 years, and this weekend they tied the knot. As the reverend who performed the ceremony in Davenport, Iowa said, “This is ...